DETROIT, MI -- The Detroit Police Department will no longer answer to a U.S. Department of Justice overseer. One has been in place since 2003 after an investigation revealed numerous complaints of improper use of force by officers and improper treatment of witnesses.

In 2000, then-Mayor Dennis Archer requested the probe after police were involved in 47 fatal shootings between 1995 and 2000, including six of unarmed suspects. Between 1994 and 2000, 19 witnesses died while being detained by the Detroit Police Department.

In contrast, the department reports 17 fatal shootings in the last five years, and only one death of a detainee.

U.S. Attorney Barbara L. McQuade says the first of two major areas of concern, including conditions of confinement, which in the past were "deplorable," and unconstitutional arrests of witnesses, which is now handled by the state Department of Corrections, have been resolved.

The third category, use of force, although not completely eliminated, has been "dramatically resolved," said McQuade.

The Justice Department and Detroit Police Department recently filed a joint motion asking that the judgement be lifted and an 18-month transition period installed.

The transition agreement gives the department time to work on 11 areas within the consent agreement for which they are not in total compliance.

The federal government in 2003 placed the Detroit Police Department under supervision after finding it violated the U.S. Constitution with its handling of detainees and use of force.

Craig said he came to Detroit with the goal of 100 compliance, and the department's
"work toward meeting that goal continues."

"I can honestly say this department ... has restored credibility ... between the residents of the city and the officers that serve them." said the chief. "Make no mistake.. this does not mean this is the end ... This does not mean that we will simply go back to what we were years ago."

Not all support the move, which will save taxpayers money and offer the department more autonomy.

Ron Scott, founder of the Detroit Coalition Against Police Brutality, opposes the decision, noting there have been nine police-involved shootings this year, citing statements made by Craig during an appearance on Fox 2's "Let it Rip."

Police two weeks ago shot a man suspected of illegally purchasing a firearm and attempting to strike an officer with his car during the subsequent stop, police say.

With the Department under emergency management and the Detroit Police Commission rendered largely impotent by the city's restructuring, Scott says federal oversight it now more important than ever.

He believes the city is exploiting its current financial calamity and the power shakeup to shed the consent decree and not acting in the citizens' best interest.

Hollowell, however, called it a "proud moment" for the Detroit Police Department.

"Detroit is not a Ferguson, Mo.," he said. "I think this is the very best outcome that could be had under these circumstances.

"In terms of where we've come ... this is not a perfect police department but it is in every respect a Constitutional police department."

The city spent about $142 million defending lawsuits between 1984 and 2000, and since that time paid about $50 million for the federal auditor, said Hollowell.

One area McQuade said the department continues to work on is in-car video. About 78 percent of the fleet -- this doesn't include the nearly 100 cruisers donated by private businesses led by Penske -- is equipped with on-board cameras and microphones.